Social anxiety. Group settings.

Does anyone else struggle with social anxiety? Especially in group settings with adults? I have professional meetings occasionally and I am always kicking myself by the end of it when I don't speak up and contribute. It doesn't help when you're online too. I just overthink about the value of what I have to bring and by the time I decide, yes I will speak up and share, someone else decides to butt in and talk over me so I dig myself a hole and never speak again.

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CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

I know this feeling. I didn't have it when I was at work because I was quite laid back there and didn't take those people way too seriously. (Since I didn't feel being taken very seriously in the first place). Also I always knew what I wanted to say and knew what I was talking about. But I had it at school all the time. I almost never said anything in a group because whenever heads turned at me I felt the upsurge of anxiety coming. I got brain fog and everything I had in my mind just disappeared. The more I cared to get my opinion across the more aroused I got and couldn't control my body and mind well.

meetingmeinthepouringrain · 26-30, F

@CrazyMusicLover I know exactly how that feels. I was the same in school 😰

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

@meetingmeinthepouringrain The way I see it is that we need to be really confident about what we talk about and stand firmly behind our opinion..or maybe not care that much about the opinions of the audience. For me, if I'm not entirely sure if what I'm saying is correct or when I have doubts if what I am going to say is socially acceptable in a given social setting I start crumble. I think for me it's fear I might inadvertently say something inappropriate or incorrect and face disdain or resentment of others. Also the only way my public presentation worked was when I dissociated and ran on autopilot.

meetingmeinthepouringrain · 26-30, F

@CrazyMusicLover I completely agree with everything you have said! It does seems to depend on my confidence on what I have to say and also if I'm worried about how I will come across as and be misunderstood. I also feel I come across as am trying too hard when I do say something, perhaps because I am usually so tense lol

CrazyMusicLover · 31-35

@meetingmeinthepouringrain Same, haha, like I take that whole situation way too seriously. Which I do but I can't change that consciously. By the way, I can't talk about things that I am truly enthusiastic about as well. Once I met a girl who was at the time obsessing over the same thing I was and I rather pretended that I didn't care that much because I just knew I wouldn't be capable of talking coherently. 😂